Dear Parishioners and Friends,
I want to begin by thanking all of you for your greetings, cards, notes, emails, gifts, and presence at last Sunday’s Mass to celebrate with me the 40th anniversary of my ordination and my 70th birthday. Having my family with me for several days was a real delight as well. I am especially grateful to everyone here who made them feel welcome and at home. I know that they were overwhelmed by the spirit of our parishioners at the Mass and reception afterwards. I am particularly grateful to our music ministry who took time on Saturday morning for an extra rehearsal, and then sang spectacularly on Sunday morning!
You may have met Br. José Rodriguez, O.F.M. who visited us last week. Br. José is a Provincial Councilor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Province, and is the liaison between the friar communities in the Northeast and our Provincial administration in Atlanta. Our friar community spent time with him to talk about our life and ministry in Hartford, and he had an opportunity to meet with our lay staff as well. He was also given a little tour of the different outreach programs with which we partner. Br. José was present at the 10 AM Mass and had the opportunity to experience the uplifting atmosphere of our Sunday liturgies.
Again, thank you for the wonderful hospitality you showed to my family and Br. José. They were all very impressed with their visit to St. Patrick-St. Anthony.
On Monday, October 14th, a special Mass will be celebrated at 2:00 PM at St. Joseph Cathedral to bestow the Pallium upon Archbishop Coyne by Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the Apostolic Nuncio to the United States. The Archdiocese has requested that at least ten people from every parish attend the Mass. If you would like to attend, please RSVP as soon as possible at hartfordcathedral.org/pallium.
Blessings on your week ahead!
Fr. Tim Shreenan, O.F.M.
Pastor